Signaling device



y 1954 J. s. REYNOLDS 2,673,978

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jasqok S'JZeynoZds;

ATTORNEYS y 8, 1954 J. 5. REYNOLDS 2,678,978,

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 18,1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNALING DEVICE Joseph S. Reynolds,Wilmington, Del. Application December 21, 1951, Serial No. 262,781

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to speed signalling devices and has for an objectto provide signal lamps controlled by a switch responsive to movement ofthe accelerator of a motor vehicle, the arrangement being such that agreen signallight will be energized on the rear of the vehicle at apredetermined speed, for instance touring speed, an amber light will beenergized at a change in speed as for instance when the vehicle reducestouring speed preparatory to making a stop, andared light wi11 beenergized as the speed decreases in making a stop, so that followingdrivers will have available at all times an indication of theapproximate speed of the vehicle equipped with a speed signallin deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modifications may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a speed signalling device constructed inaccordance with the invention, and shown in applied position on a motorvehicle, the latter being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the accelerator responsive switch and thebrake pedal responsive switch for controlling the signal lamps.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line l-4 ofFigure 3 and showin the stationary switch contacts of the acceleratorresponsive switch.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 ofFigure 3 and showing the movable switch contact in top plan.

Figur 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 86 ofFigure 3 and showing the bridging movable switch contact in frontelevation.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the si nal lamps.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the signal lamp shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view showin the electrical connections of thelamps and switches.

Referring now to the drawings in which like characters of referencedesignate similar parts (Cl. ZOO-61.89)

in th various views, three signal lamps III, II and I2 are mounted in avertical row on a bracket I 3 which may be secured to the rea bumper Mof a motor car l5. The lamps are provided with arched visors l6 whichprevent light rays of each lamp from illuminating the lens of the lampnext adjacent to it and thus eliminate confusion of signals.

The lenses ii, iii and E9 of the respective lamps H], II and [2 are ofcontrasting colors. Preferably the lens of the uppermost lamp is coloredgreen, the lens of the intermediate lamp is colored amber, and the lensof the lowermost lamp is colored red, to designate predetermined speeds.For example, the green lens may denote touring speed, the amber lens achange of speed preliminary to an intended stop or turn, and the redlens may denote slowing to the speed of the turn or to a stop.

The si nal lamps are equipped with respective signal bulbs 20, Z! and 22and the conductor wires 23, 24 and 25 may be carried forwardly on thevehicle through a sheathin 26, best shown in Figure 1.

The accelerator responsive switch comprises a link 21 which is pivotallysecured at the rear end to a lug 28 that depends from the accelerator 29below the pivot of the accelerator so that when the accelerator isdepressed the link 21 is pulled rearwardly to move the switch to circuitclosing position and when the accelerator is released the link is movedforwardly to open the switch.

The switch housing 39 is disposed on a bracket 3| that is secured to thedash 32 of the vehicle in alignment with the link 27 and is preferablyformed of insulating material. Mounted in the top of the housing is anelongated switch contact 33 and arranged parallel with this contact arethree aligned stationary switch contacts 34, 35 and 36. A U-shapedbridging switch contact 37, best shown in Figure 6, is secured to ablock 38 of insulating material by screws 39 and is provided withparallel rearwardly extendin sprin contact fingers 40 one of which rideson the elongated switch contact 33 and the other upon the aligned switchcontacts 34, 35 and 36 when the accelerator is actuated.

The above mentioned link 21 is connected to the end of a rod M whichprojects through the end of the switch housing 30 and at the forward endis screw threadedly engaged with the insulating block 38. A helicalspring 42 is sleeved on the rod and bears terminally against collars 43on the rod. The spring constantly tends to hold the bridging contact inopen circuit position.

There are four binding posts 44, 45, it and 41 arranged on top of aswitch housing and connected respectively to the elongated contact 33,and to the aligned contacts 35, 35 and 3 5, as best shown in Figure 4..A conductor wire 48 connects the binding post 44 to the battery 49. Thebeforementioned conductor wires 23, 24 and 25 of the green, amber andred signal lamps are connected respectively to the binding posts 45, 46and 41 of the aligned stationary switch contacts 36, 35 and 34.

In practice when the accelerator pedal is depressed to the position itassumes at touring speed, the bridging contact 31 will be in circuitclosing position on the elongated switch contact 33 and rearmost switchcontact 38 to close the green signal lamp circuit. When the driverintends to make a turn or stop within the intmediate future, he willrelease foot pressure on the accelerator 29 so that the bridging switchcontact will be moved back to circuit closing position on the elongatedswitch contact 33 and the switch contact 35 to energize the circuit ofthe amber signal lamp and thus designate to following drivers that achange in speed has taken place preparatory to making a turn or a stop.As the driver continues to release pressure on the accelerator thebridging contact will be moved back to circuit closing position on theelongated contact 33 and on the contact 34 to energize the red signallamp and thus warn the following driver of a further decrease in speedand of the intention of an imminent stop or turn.

As a further warning of a change in speed the red signal lamp ispreferably of the dual filament type. one of the filaments being dim andthe other one being bright. The bright filament for example may beconnected by a conductor wire .50 to a switch ii that is connected tothe battery by a conductor and is responsive to move ment of the brakepedal 53 by means of a link 54 which connects the brake pedal to theswitch.

The brake pedal responsive switch housing 55 is secured to a stationarysupport 56, best shown in Figure l, and is provided with stationaryswitch contacts and a bridging switch contact similar to the acceleratorresponsive switch so that a description thereof will not be repeated.

When the foot is lifted from the accelerator and pressure is applied tothe brake pedal the dim filament of the redsignal lamp 22 will notbecome extinguished and the bright filament of this lamp will beenergized which intensifies the red lamp by the energizing of bothfilaments, to denote application of the brake to warn following driversof the application of the brake.

In order to energize the red signal lamp independently of the footaccelerator circuit wires 51 and 58 are by-passed around the automaticswitch 5|, as best shown in Figure 9. A manual switch 59 is interposedin the lay-pass circuit to permit manual closing of the circuit to thered signal lamp at any time.

As the description of the signal system has been described as thedescription of the parts progressed it is thought that the operation andconstruction of the invention will be fully understood, without furtherexplanation.

What is claimed is:

An accelerator responsive switch comprising a casing, an elongatedswitch contact in the casing, a plurality of aligned contacts in thecasing positioned laterally of the elongated switch contact parallel toand in the same plane with the elongated switch contact, a springpressed plunger mounted in the casing for reciprocal movement withrelation to the longitudinal axis of the casing, a bridging contactcarried by and. insulated from the plunger and having parallel alignedspring contact fingers adapted to have wiping contact with the elongatedswitch. contact and with the laterally disposed aligned contacts, and alink pivotally connected to the plunger and adapted to connect theplunger to an. accelerator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 376,072 Cole Jan. 10, 1888 1,290,701 Berger Jan. 7, 191914173212 Davis Nov. 6, 1923 1,625,565 Rosenberg Apr. 19, 1927 1,819,196Osgian Aug. 18, 1931 i 1,956,056 Bellec et a1. Apr. 24, 1934 2,096,069Seiden Oct. 19, 1937 2,128,769 Finnell Aug. 30, 1938 2,276,378 DuguayMar. 17, 1942 2,301,588 Rodrick Nov. 10, 1942 2,339,910 Centrella Jan.25, 1944 2,520,681 29, 1950 Hanson, Jr Aug.

